Blachford UK Managing Director Jason Lippit was delighted to present Less Than Zero Barbers on Sheffield Road in Chesterfield, with the Community Contribution Award at the recent 2018 Derbyshire Times Business Awards.
Commenting on the award win, which was sponsored by Blachford UK, Martin Keyworth owner of Less than Zero Barbers said: “I am still in awe. I was gobsmacked when our name was called out at the awards. When we set up the business less than two years ago, we wanted it to be a true community barbers shop and this award recognises that we have created that.”
The award recognised Less Than Zero’s commitment to corporate social responsibility by improving the lives of local people, through working activities into the day-to-day running of the business and directly getting involved with activities that support the community outside of work.
Jason, who attended the glittering awards on 15 November, said: “I was delighted to recognise Less Than Zero Barbers at the awards; they are true community champions, making a very real difference to people’s lives in Chesterfield.
“Most of our 100+ staff live in and around Chesterfield and, to me, it’s important that they are supported not just in the work place but within the communities they live. Sponsoring the award category was a great way of recognising the many great initiatives and people that contribute to the communities in which our staff and their families and friends live.”
Less than Zero is so much more than just a barbers was recognised in the awards for its many community initiatives in both Chesterfield and Sheffield to help homeless people and people dealing with mental health issues.
The business provides free haircuts, beard trims and goody bags for those who don’t have a place to call home and also offers a non-judgemental environment where men can go and seek support for any mental health issues.
Less Than Zero Barbers opened in January 2017 and has gone from strength to strength, opening a second shop in Woodseats, Sheffield earlier this year.
Martin is passionate about helping others. He said: “Myself and the other barbers at Less Than Zero all have a skills which we can use to help others who are less fortunate than us. We all try to do what is right and help the community and offer our services free of charge to at least one person in need.”
Alongside Less Than Zero Barbers, Brighter Futures- Employability Derbyshire and Chameleon School of Construction were also shortlisted for the Community Contribution award.
The Derbyshire Times Business Awards are one of Chesterfield’s highest profile awards. This year, the glittering black-tie awards event was held at Chesterfield College and hosted by entrepreneur and former contestant on BBC 1’s The Apprentice, Jessica Cunningham.

Huge congratulations are in order for one of Blachford UK’s team members – Cohan Beatson, the HR Advisor at our Chesterfield HQ.

Following an intensive 12-month study programme, which saw her attend Chesterfield College for every Thursday afternoon, Cohan has achieved her CIPD Level 5 in Human Resources and now gets to have ‘Assoc CIPD’ after her name.

CIPD is the globally-recognised professional body for experts in people at work, championing better work and working lives by setting professional standards for HR and people development, as well as driving positive change in the world of work.

Cohan joined Chesterfield College’s other graduates on 26 October at Casa hotel for her graduation ceremony.

Her latest qualification builds on her CIPD Level 3 qualification which she achieved in 2015. The CIPD Level 5 Diploma in Applied HR, is a Higher Apprenticeship qualification in HR Management and is equivalent to the second year of a university degree in the UK.

Cohan at her graduation

She said: “I always wanted to progress higher and with Blachford’s help and support I have been able to do just that.”

Blachford sponsored Cohan throughout the 12-month course. She said: “Finding out that Blachford was happy to work with me throughout my Level 5 was great news.

“I now want to use my latest qualification to develop the HR department at Blachford. I feel like there is so much scope for me to progress here. I love being part of the business.”

Cohan actually began her career in fashion with an apprenticeship in fashion management before moving into recruitment in 2013 and joining Blachford in September 2016.

Explaining her career move Cohan said: “I enjoy helping people enjoy work. Whether their problems are personal or professional I like to take an active role in making sure everybody is happy working at Blachford.”

We’re always on the look-out for new additions to the Blachford UK team. If you’re interested in finding out more about job opportunities here please contact us through our website.

Stephen Hutt has been appointed as Operations Director of Blachford UK Ltd. With a large investment plan, Stephen is charged with creating more capacity for growth.
He joins Blachford, which is one of the UK’s leading designers, engineers and manufacturers of acoustic components for industrial and agricultural vehicles, from a technical moulding solution supplier.
He brings more than 30 years’ experience within the chemicals industry to the role, including 10 years at senior levels in both engineering and process roles for national and international companies.
Stephen began his career with BP Chemicals, completing an engineering apprenticeship there before moving into a number of management roles over 18 years for subsidiaries of the world-class chemical and energy business.
As part of his role at Blachford, Stephen will utilise his business management acumen to implement a world-class manufacturing system, which is central to the company’s vision. He will also drive process development and an internal training plan covering all of Blachford’s employees at its Chesterfield headquarters.
Commenting on his appointment, Stephen said: “Blachford has a clear vision for it’s future which attracted me to the company. As Operations Director my role will be key in enabling Blachford to realise this vision in the near future.
“The company is already at the forefront of Elastomer technology and technical innovation in the field of vehicle acoustics, and with the implementation of a really terrific training programme, and world-class manufacturing systems, we can deliver a complete solution for customers, ensuring that Blachford continues to lead in its field.”
Welcoming him to the role, Jason Lippitt, Managing Director of Blachford Acoustics Group UK, added: “I am delighted to welcome Stephen to Blachford. He joins at a very exciting time, with good projected growth over the next 3 – 5 years. Stephen will play a vital role alongside the senior management team in ensuring that the company is well placed to deliver that growth.”

Mark Morgans has been appointed as IT and ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) Manager at Blachford UK.
The latest appointment takes our commitment to becoming a world class manufacturer a further step forward.
Within the newly created role at Blachford, Mark will be responsible for the upgrade and integration of the company’s ERP programme across the company. The ERP programme will deliver real-time data which will drive process improvements across the company, benefitting both the business and its customers both in the UK and overseas.
The new ERP system is integral to Blachford’s commitment to creating a world-class manufacturing system, which is central to the company’s vision.
Mark joins Blachford from a Sheffield based stockholder and processor of alloys, bringing extensive ERP and IT experience to his new role. He also has considerable experience in the manufacturing and process arena from a previous role as International IT Manager for a provider of manufacturing solutions for the medical device and aerospace markets.
Commenting on his new role, Mark said: “The vision and direction of the company attracted me to both Blachford and the role. It is a great opportunity to be an integral part in Blachford’s journey to becoming a world class manufacturer.
“Having previous employment in both the manufacturing and transport sectors, gives me a wider understanding of the Blachford business model and the exciting opportunity to become the leader in its field.”
A Sheffield Hallam University computing graduate, until 1995 Mark worked within the transport industry before retraining as a post 16 computer teacher. He worked as a teacher at North Notts College before joining industry in 2000.
He added: “As my CV will attest, I enjoy a challenge and am particularly looking forward to implementing the latest version of ERP in the business and the huge benefits that it will bring to Blachford.”
Outside work Mark, who is married and lives in Barlborough is a keen golfer.

Blachford UK has agreed an exciting partnership with the Redbrick Chesterfield Half Marathon. We are sponsoring this year’s family-friendly 1km Fun Run which is supporting the Half Marathon event on Sunday 21 October.
The Blachford 1km Fun Run will take place in Queen’s Park during the main event; and it’s all in aid of local charities, including Ashgate HospiceCare and Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.
Last year more than 800 people signed up to the innaugaral Chesterfield Half Marathon and this year, even more runners are expected to take part. Blachford UK will be on hand to help out all runners as we’ve sponsored a hydration station on the day.

Blachford UK Team

As well as the 1km Fun Run, the Half Marathon will also be starting and finishing in Queen’s Park. Blachford colleagues and their families will pulling on their running shoes and taking part in both events.
The 1km Fun Run starts at 9.15am, followed 15 minutes later by runners in the main event, the Redbrik Half Marathon.
Jason Lippitt, Managing Director of Blachford UK, commented on the Fun Run sponsorship: “We are delighted to be supporting the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon this year and are looking forward to the event’s return. Many of the team at Blachford are from Chesterfield, so this is a great opportunity for us to come together at the event, have some fun and raise money for the local area.”
John Timms, events director at MLS Constracts, the organisers of the Redbrik Chesterfield Half Marathon, said: “We’re really excited by our new partnership with Blachford UK. Although it’s an international business, the company has strong community roots, particularly when it comes to raising money for good local causes such as Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice. We’re looking forward to seeing this partnership develop.”
For more information on the event or to enter the Blachford Fun Run, please visit here.

The Blachford UK runners have created a just giving page which is linked directly to Bluebell Wood Hospice, any donations are gratefully accepted for this wonderful charity

Blachford UK Ltd played host to a year 10 pupil from Tupton Hall School recently as part of the company’s work experience programme – and we managed to surprise him!

Sam Stewardson, who lives in Clay Cross in Chesterfield, joined the team at Blachford’s Holmewood site for two weeks to learn all about the world of work & manufacturing.

Sam said: “I don’t really know what I want to do when I leave school, so it was great to be able to see all of the different parts of the company and how they work together. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed being in the lab.

“It was really interesting to see how the things I learn at school can actually be applied in the workplace, especially maths and chemistry.”

Under the watchful eye of the company’s Process Development Engineer, Anish Vaghela, who was once a placement student at Blachford himself, Sam got to experience all the departments at Blachford UK, even enjoying a visit to one of Blachford’s customers.

Anish added: “Sam was really great and enthusiastic. Having been in a similar position to Sam a couple of years ago when I joined Blachford, it was great to take him under my wing for a couple of weeks and show him, first-hand what a great place the company is to work at.”

Sam added: “Work experience is definitely a good thing. I would recommend Blachford to anyone seeking work experience even if they’re not sure the manufacturing industry is for them. Just to be in a workplace with such nice people has been really useful.”

Blachford UK has a number of links with local schools, providing work experience placements each year to pupils, which are designed to raise awareness of both the company as a local employer and the manufacturing industry as a whole.

Employing over 100 people at its Chesterfield site, Blachford is a leading designer and supplier of acoustic materials for automotive & industrial vehicles.

On May 15th 2018, Blachford Incorporated was presented the 2017 Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) Masters of Quality Award. This marks the 3rd time in the last 5 years that we have received this award.

The Masters of Quality Award is presented to elite Daimler Trucks suppliers in North America who are top performers in relation to quality, delivery, technology and cost performance.

In the letter from Daimler’s top executives announcing the award, they mention that the efforts of every employee in the company and the consistency of Blachford meeting and exceeding Daimler’s strict guidelines and expectations are vital to the continued success of Daimler and their end-customers.

A formal presentation of the award has yet to be announced but will take place in the near future at the production facility in West Chicago, IL.

We are honored to receive this award and we are excited to build on our established relationship with Daimler by continuing to provide the highest quality products and service.

About Blachford Inc.

Blachford Inc. is a business unit of the Blachford Acoustics Group, a leading manufacturer of acoustical and thermal products. The facility in West Chicago is also home to the Blachford Acoustics Laboratory, which spearheads research and development for the Blachford Acoustics Group. For additional information about Blachford Inc. or the Blachford Acoustics Group, please visit http://www.blachfordacoustics.com/.

Blachford UK have supported Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice for a number of years, this Easter we selected a number of items from their Amazon Wish List to send to the Hospice.

Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice provides care for children and young adults with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions, as well as their families. Their motto is ‘living with love & laughter’ and every day they create special memories for children, young adults and families who visit them, which they can treasure for life.

It costs over £4 million a year to keep their doors open, and they receive just 10% of their funding from statutory government sources. Everything else is funded by the amazing work that their supporters do.

Russ Hall – Corporate Fundraiser for Bluebell Wood said “We are extremely grateful for the gifts we have received and for the fundraising and support Blachford UK Ltd show us every year”.

For the 2nd year in a row, Blachford Inc. has been named a recipient of the PACCAR 10PPM Quality Award. The award is presented to PACCAR suppliers that maintained a quality score of 10 PPM (parts per million) or lower in 2017. This award is presented to about 300 companies that are part of PACCAR’s supply base. As a repeat recipient of this award, our commitment to quality remains a proud pillar of our company’s core competencies.

PACCAR is among the world’s largest manufacturers of medium and heavy duty trucks. The company is made up of subsidiaries Peterbilt, Kenworth and DAF, brands known worldwide for their unparalleled quality.

Blachford Inc. has also been recognized by Caterpillar and Worthington for our quality performance in 2017.

The entire list of the 2017 “10 PPM” suppliers is listed on PACCAR’s website, www.paccar.com.